Today, ahead of schedule, I got my new tags. The DMV girl asked if I had my emmisions inspection until I reminded her this was a diesel. Installed my new tags so I could go for my state inspection and discoverd the battery dead. Charged the battery, then on the way to inspection, discovered my '82 240D drivers seatbelt wouldn't fit the buckle that came with my '84 300D driver's seat. Wound up having to remove the seat to install the '82 buckle and thread the belt warning harness. Finally passed inspection. After dinner, I went for an extended test drive. Got her up to about 60. Slow, but seems no worse than my first Ponton 180b. Diff hums a bit - need to check the fluid. Steering seems a bit loose - maybe the box can be tightened. Numerous squeaks, rattles and vibrations while idling - suspect it's due for some motor mounts. There's a really annoying racket coming from the speedometer at all speeds - sounds like the ticking of a demented wind-up alarm clock - that may be related to the dead odometer. Will need to pull the cluster. And something rolling around inside the driver's door - probably the loose roller from the broken door-check strap. So, as time permits, I'll be ironing out the bugs over the next few weeks.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

I performed micro-surgery on 'Miss Diesel's speedometer today. Annoying demented ticking is gone AND the odometer works again! Had to heat up a tiny screwdrive blade on the stove to so I could use it to 'reshape' two of the teeth on one of the nylon odometer drive-gears. This fixed the ticking. Then had to drive the main number counter shaft out about a half-inch, then nick it several times with a side cutter at the correct spot, so it would be able to again grip the alloy drive-wheel, after I pressed it back into place. Also had to 'nick' the shaft for the trip reset lever, which fell off when I pulled the speedometer from the cluster.

No longer 'forever-young', tonights test drive has added 28 miles to 'Miss Diesel'.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

More Wrenching on 'Miss Diesel'

This week, I pulled both front door panels to replace the split driver's map pocket and repair the passenger one. Also installed the new driver's door-check strap and removed a marble-sized ball bearing from the old one that was clattering around inside the door. Another annoying racket gone! Then jacked her up for an oil change and discovered both upper control arm bushings blown out! And then, after finishing the oil change, heard another alarming noise - sort of a loud jingling sound coming from the front of the idling engine. Visions of worn timing chains preparing to snap blackened my thoughts!
Then I discovered the broken bottom alternator bolt. Pulled the alternator and bracket to replace the broken bolt and install a shim in the now very-elongated hole in the alternator. Also found loose & missing bolts that used to secure the AC and tranny-cooler lines to the oil pan. Fixed that and added another bolt fo fix the broken weld at the upper radiator support. Everything is now tight and the scary jingling is gone! Yesterday, I replaced the upper control arms, with the help of some special tools I made for a BMW suspension job many years ago. Front end feels tighter and quieter now. I like the ride of this car. Dips and speed bumps can be handled at speeds that would wreck my Nissan! Steering still feels a bit sloppy though. I think tommrrow I'll try a quarter turn on the steering box adjuster.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

Well, I've been mostly enjoying and getting used to driving my 'new' diesel. The lack of power I mainly notice on hills, otherwise I'm extra carefull crossing busy intersections. Did notice lots of engine roar the first time I got it up to highway speeds. After reading a thread about hood pads, I decided against the hassle and expense of adding one to mine, but instead, I now have all 4 radio speakers connected which helps to drown out some of the racket. Today I finally adjusted the valves. Most were too tight. I might be noticing a slight power increase now, though I'm really hoping for some MPG improvement. I've been getting 22-24 mpg city, but only 25 on the highway. Or is that typical for an automatic 240D? I wonder (assuming I could find one) if this engine could handle a 5-speed?

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

Sold 'Miss Diesel' for $1000 cash tonight!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

You started this thread taking the Diesel plunge. so now what? you out of the Diesel business?

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Oh no!
Miss Diesel and this Forum led to my second diesel- 'Beirut Taxi' - a rusty but nice-driving '81 stickshift 240D. Then 'Wunder Wagon' My '84 Euro 5-speed 300TD. And finally 'Ol Blue' - my solid-body '82 stickshift 240D with the factory replacement engine. Three years ago, Beirut Taxi was sold to a neigbor, but I'm hangin' on to Ol Blue and Wunder Wagon.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

If IIRC, it was the Beirut Taxi that got burned pretty bad over at the neighbors.

Amazing how these follow us home like a little Puppy when we were kids, "Oh, can I keep it, can I keep it, I promise I`ll take care of it..............."

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Burned pretty bad? More like incinerated. Pity, despite the rust, Beirut Taxi was still a nice running car, and my neighbor had installed new shocks, tires, and a CD-radio when that dirtbag stole it and torched it!

Beirut Taxi was originally intended as a donor for Miss Diesel's conversion to stickshift, but ran so well that I didn't have the heart to gut it.

So frustrating around here that so many of them that come up for sale are tired, rustbuckets, while others report finding solid, rustfree examples in SALVAGE YARDS!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW